NAGPUR, April 5: Guardian Minister Nitin Gadkari performed the bhoomipoojan of the proposed Nag River Basin Eco-Development Project, being launched jointly by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation and a local non-government organisation Ecocity Foundation, at the Ambazari overflow point on Sunday evening.The project involves cleaning of the Nag river basin, removing pollutants and sewerage discharge in the river and inviting community participation to keep the river clean. The project endeavours to initiate rainwater harvesting and recharging groundwater sources.Speaking on the occasion, Guardian Minister Nitin Gadkari urged corporators to develop expertise in areas of environmental importance. He asked the NMC authorities to form a comprehensive environmental policy for Nagpur, aimed at conservation of natural resources and at the same time, make concerted efforts with people's participation for keeping pollution levels under control.He said the Union Government was planning to declare liquifiedpetroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative to conventional motor fuel and added an industrial unit was coming up at Butibori Industrial Estate which would supply LPG cylinders meant for motor vehicles.Gadkari said the Nagpur Improvement Trust had decided to spend Rs 1.5 crore for repair and restoration of the Sakkardara lake, while the Public Works Department would spend Rs 50 lakh for repairs of the bund walls of Telangkhedi lake.In his address, Mayor Devendra Phadanvis hoped that the project would help keep the Nag river clean and improve the city's environment. He also hoped that several lakes, reservoirs in the city would be repaired under the project, while rainwater harvesting would improve groundwater resources.Earlier, Managing Director, Ecocity Foundation, Pradyumna Sahasrabhojanee, Vijay Deshpande of Vidarbha Nature and Human Science Center, Executive Engineer, NMC, Potdukhe also spoke.
